Holiday in Puerto Plata

What makes Puerto Plata special as a destination?

Puerto Plata is the gateway to the spectacular northern coast of the Dominican Republic and a destination that uniquely combines Caribbean beaches, dramatic mountain backdrops, and Victorian architecture. The city, whose full name is San Felipe de Puerto Plata, was founded by Columbus in 1502 and was the most important port of the island of Hispaniola for centuries. Today, it is the cultural and economic center of the northern coast - more authentic, rugged, and less polished than the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana, but with significantly more character. The landmark of the city is Pico Isabel de Torres, a 793-meter high mountain in the tropical landscape, topped by a statue of Christ - a small counterpart to the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro. A cable car, the only one in the Caribbean, glides over the tropical rainforest and offers breathtaking views of the city, the coast, and the deep blue sea. At the top, visitors are greeted by a botanical garden with tropical plants and butterflies. The old town of Puerto Plata surprises with lovingly restored Victorian wooden houses in pastel colors, a lively malecón by the sea, and the San Felipe Fortress from the 16th century, the oldest fortification in the New World. The Amber Museum, housed in an elegant Victorian house, showcases one of the largest collections of Dominican amber in the world, including pieces with trapped insects that are millions of years old. Playa Dorada, a vast golden sand beach just a few minutes west of the city, is the tourist center with hotels, a golf course, and water sports offerings. However, the real treasures lie further out: Cabarete, the kite surfing capital of the Caribbean, Sosua with its multicultural history and coral reefs, and the spectacular 27 Charcos de Damajagua - a cascade of 27 natural waterfalls and pools in the rainforest that can be explored by swimming, jumping, and sliding. From Germany, it takes about ten hours to fly to Puerto Plata or alternatively to Santiago de los Caballeros. The best travel time is from December to April during the dry season, but summer also offers warm weather with short, refreshing rain showers. Puerto Plata is significantly cheaper than Punta Cana and offers a more authentic Dominican experience.